Cage Warriors 52 opens 2013 season with Grimaud-Pendred title fight

The Cage Warriors organization will open its 2013 season on March 9 with a title fight between welterweight champion Gael Grimaud (17-5) and challenger Cathal Pendred (11-2-1).

The event and headliner takes place at HMV Forum in London.

Broadcast and streaming plans, as well as additional bouts, will be announced shortly.

Grimaud, a French fighter, has steadily ascended the welterweight ranks with eight straight victories and a 10-1 run since mid-2010. He won the vacant Cage Warriors title in 2011 with a TKO victory over Arni Isaksson, and he made his first successful title defense with a submission victory over former UFC fighter Jesse Taylor back in May.

Pendred, meanwhile, is on a 5-0-1 run that included winning a Cage Contender title with a TKO of Liam Shannon back in 2011. The Irish fighter later signed with Cage Warriors and moved into title contention with a 3-0-1 record in the organization, which included decision wins over UFC vet David Bielkheden and former M-1 fighter Bruno Carvalho this past year.

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